DICTATOR Kim Jong-un has said North Korea will NOT use nuclear weapons unless the country's "sovereignty" comes under threat.

In an apparent U-turn on the warmonger's typical stance to the West, the secretive state's leader said his country "will faithfully fulfil its obligation for non-proliferation and strive for global denuclearisation".

The pint-sized Pyongyang overlord also said he was willing to improve relations with nations he feels are "hostile", including neighbouring South Korea.

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Speaking at the ruling Workers' Party's first congress in 36 years, Kim said: "As a responsible nuclear weapons state, our Republic will not use a nuclear weapon unless its sovereignty is encroached upon by any aggressive hostile forces with nukes."

It is a surprising change of tact from the 33-year-old ruler, who only on Friday praised a nuclear test carried out in January, which led to the UN further tightening its sanctions on North Korea.

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The North Korean despot has promised to improve ties with 'hostile' nations

And it comes despite new satellite photos of the Punggye-ri nuclear test site showing activity consistent with preparations for a new test, potentially the country's fifth.

However, during his speech on Saturday, Kim also stated the country will continue with "byongjin" policy of jointly pushing forward with both economic development and nuclear armament.

And many experts remain sceptical over the country's new-found diplomacy.

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The Workers' Party Congress iis taking place for the first time in 36 years

Our Republic will not use a nuclear weapon unless its sovereignty is encroached upon by any aggressive hostile forces with nukes

Kim Jong-un

It is not the first time North Korea has made such statements, before later repeating threats to attack the US, South Korea and Japan.

And it has continued to brazenly defy UN resolutions in pursuit of its nuclear weapons programme.

However, Kim also used his speech to lay out a five-year economic plan, which alluded to solving North Korea's electricity problem and increasing industrial output.

According to the state's Korean Central News Agency, the dictator said: "We must solve the energy problem and place the basic industry section on the right track, and increase agricultural and light industry production to definitely improve lives of the people."

While short on technical detail, it nevertheless represented a significant moment in Kim's leadership, according to North Korea expert Michael Madden.

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New sataellite images appear to show North Korea is preparing another nuclear test

He said: "In stark contrast to his father [Kim Jong-il, who died in 2011], he is publicly taking responsibility for the economy and development as the originator of the policy.